South Africa: Vermeulen out of Rugby Championship squad

Omnisports 23:45 - 12 August 2016

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South Africa are planning for the Rugby Championship without Duane Vermeulen after the number eight sustained a knee injury.

Duane Vermeulen has been withdrawn from South Africa's Rugby Championship squad after suffering a knee injury.

The number eight was hurt while playing for Toulon against Toulouse in a pre-season fixture on Friday, a match the Top 14 runners-up won 26-19.

And the Springboks' official Twitter account confirmed on Saturday that Vermeulen had been withdrawn, although no timeframe has been placed on his recovery and no replacement will be called up.

Thirty-year-old Vermeulen has won 37 caps since making his debut in 2012.

South Africa open their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina in Nelspruit on August 20, before travelling to Salta a week later for the reverse fixture.